Abstract [en]

The purpose of the study is to find out how violin teachers work with improvisation in classical music education. What factors affect the teacher's view of improvisation and the use of improvisation are presented in the study. Interviews of seven violin teachers who are working as violin teachers and musicians are reported in the study. The interviews have been analysed through a cultural-historical perspective and were issued as a thematic analysis that includes teachers' backgrounds, education, essential tasks as teachers and use of improvisation in teaching. This study reveals how teachers' backgrounds affect their interpretations and use of improvisation in teaching. Vygotsky's cultural-historical perspective is followed and stated by the report of his books and articles. Vygotsky's ideas about how civilization constantly affects the mental characteristics and behaviour of man are reported. Improvisation's use is very wide and used in poetry, dance, theatre and music. Different music genres based on improvisation have been investigated in the study. During the 20th century improvisation disappeared from music education and tinted down in the musical performances. The elements, which have influenced the disappearance of improvisation in classical music and theories about these facts, are highlighted in this study. Four out of seven violin teachers use improvisational moments in the classroom, but there was no connection between the use of improvisation in teaching as well as performance and the background of the teachers. The violin teachers who are interested in improvisation as phenomena and subjects for personal reasons use improvisation in their teaching.